Pacers Stay Focused After Game 1 Rout, Expect Stronger Fight From Bucks in Game 2

Fresh off a commanding Game 1 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in their first-round playoff series, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle wasted no time shifting his team’s focus to the next challenge.

Despite leading from early in the first quarter and never looking back in their 117–98 win, Carlisle warned against complacency as the series continues Tuesday in Indianapolis.

“This was just one piece of the puzzle,” Carlisle said postgame. “Game 2 is going to be much tougher. Everyone on our squad needs to be sharp and ready. Finding the right mindset is key.”

Indiana controlled nearly every aspect of the opener. Pascal Siakam led the scoring with 25 points, followed by Myles Turner with 19 and Andrew Nembhard with 17. The Pacers shot nearly 52% from the field and held a lead as large as 28.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, struggled to generate offense outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who poured in 36 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. The Bucks found themselves trailing by 24 at halftime and never fully recovered.

“That wasn’t our brand of basketball,” Antetokounmpo admitted. “We picked it up in the second half—they only scored 50 after the break. Now we’ve got to bring that energy from the start next game.”

The Bucks could see a major boost in Game 2 with the possible return of Damian Lillard. The veteran guard confirmed during Tuesday morning’s shootaround that he will play, following clearance from a recent health setback involving his right calf.

Lillard, who hasn’t played since March 18, was upgraded to questionable earlier in the week and has been participating fully in team practices. He even made his presence felt from the bench during Game 1, earning a technical foul during a late-game exchange with Siakam.

Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers had expressed optimism about Lillard’s availability, and his return could prove pivotal in evening the series.

Still, the Bucks will face an uphill battle against a Pacers team that has gone 16–3 at home since the All-Star break.

“Indiana plays smart, tough basketball,” Antetokounmpo said. “They won’t hand you anything. If we want to advance, we need to win on the road—no excuses.”

In Game 1, Indiana’s defense clamped down on Milwaukee’s supporting cast. Aside from Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ other four starters combined for just 14 points on a dismal 25% shooting.

Turner acknowledged the strong defensive effort but noted there’s still work to be done.

“Game 1 gives you a starting point,” Turner said. “We’ve seen where we are. Now we break down film, make adjustments, and elevate our game.”

The Pacers also held the Bucks—who led the league in three-point accuracy during the regular season—to just 24.3% from beyond the arc (9 of 37), while keeping forward Kyle Kuzma scoreless in 21 minutes.

With Lillard’s scoring and playmaking added back into the mix, the Bucks will look to turn the tide. The nine-time All-Star averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists over 58 games this season and will be counted on heavily as Milwaukee looks to rebound in Game 2.